What to plant this week in Tulsa, OK
Tulsa gardeners are in the thick of summer heat, where your warm-season crops like watermelon and okra are ready to harvest while squash seeds go straight into the rich clay soil. With the last frost long behind us on March 28th, you can focus entirely on maximizing yield before the November 15th freeze arrives.
The next 7 days
Tulsa, OKGrowing in Tulsa right now
- Work fast in our intense Oklahoma afternoon heat; mulch heavily around watermelons and cucumbers to keep roots cool in this baked-in climate.
- Our signature heavy clay soil holds moisture well but drains poorly during brief summer storms, so ensure raised beds or mounded rows for beans and corn to prevent root rot.
- While we lack the chill hours of northern zones, our long growing season allows double-cropping okra if you plant a second succession after the first harvest.
Sow this week
2 crops- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest through late August.
- Thin seedlings early on okra and watermelon plants to allow remaining specimens room to spread their vines.
- Apply a light layer of compost around established summer squash and zucchini to feed heavy fruiting plants.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for squash vine borers attacking your zucchini and yellow summer squash; check stems for entry holes and sawdust-like frass.
- Spider mites can explode in Tulsa's dry, hot winds on tomato leaves and peppers, requiring frequent water sprays or neem oil treatments.
- Cutworms often strike newly emerging beans and corn seedlings at night, so inspect young plants daily before the soil dries out.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to keep soil moist without wetting foliage, especially when fruit sets in.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash every two days to prevent them from becoming tough and bitter.
Tulsa gardening questions
3Is it safe to plant more seeds now in Tulsa?
Yes, you can sow yellow summer squash and zucchini directly into the ground today since we are well past our March 28th average last frost date. Just keep seedlings shaded during these intense Oklahoma heatwaves until they establish.
Which of my current crops should I pick this week?
Focus your harvest on basil, bush beans, cucumbers, and watermelon which are listed as ready soon for Tulsa this season. Pulling melons before full ripeness can ruin the flavor, so leave them until they have a slight rattle.
How does Tulsa's climate affect my winter squash storage?
Once your winter squash is fully cured after the November 15th frost, our dry air helps harden the skin for long-term cellaring. Store them in a cool, dark corner of your garage or shed away from direct sunlight to extend their life.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Tulsa garden in SproutGuide →